Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari Faces Copyright Dispute Over Concept
A writer named Bandi says he created a story similar to Gandhari.
He says he contacted Monika Shergill in 2019.
He shared an eight-page story and a shorter summary.
Bandi says his material was acknowledged.
He was later told that it did not fit the company’s plans.
He says he registered the story with the Screenwriters Association.
He also continued developing the idea.
In 2023, he discussed the project with Baweja Studios and JioHotstar.
The makers of Gandhari have responded, but the available report does not provide the details of their response.
A writer claims the concept for Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari was copied.
Bandi says he contacted Monika Shergill through LinkedIn in 2019.
He says he shared an eight-page story and two-page synopsis.
Bandi claims the material was acknowledged but rejected for commissioning reasons.
He says he registered the work and later discussed it with Baweja Studios and JioHotstar.
- Who
- Writer Bandi, along with the makers of Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari, are involved in the dispute.
- What
- Bandi claims that the concept of Gandhari was copied from material he had previously developed and shared.
- When
- Bandi says he approached Monika Shergill in 2019 and held discussions with Baweja Studios in 2023.
- Where
- He contacted Monika Shergill through LinkedIn and pitched the project to JioHotstar; the report does not specify where the later discussions took place.
- Why
- Bandi alleges that his story concept was copied; the available report does not detail the makers’ response.
Writer’s Claim
Makers’ Position
Ownership of the concept
Writer’s Claim
Bandi claims that Gandhari used or copied a concept from the story and synopsis he had developed and shared.
Makers’ Position
The makers have responded to the allegation, but the available report does not provide the substance of their response.
Earlier submission
Writer’s Claim
Bandi says his material was acknowledged after he contacted Monika Shergill in 2019, although he was later told it did not fit the company’s commissioning plans.
Makers’ Position
No detailed response is available in the supplied report regarding the earlier submission or its relationship to Gandhari.
- Disputed project
- Gandhari, starring Taapsee Pannu
- Claimant
- Writer Bandi
- Initial contact
- Bandi says he approached Monika Shergill through LinkedIn in 2019
- Submitted material
- An eight-page story and a two-page synopsis
- Registration
- Bandi says he registered the story and synopsis with the Screenwriters Association
- Later discussions
- Bandi says he spoke with Baweja Studios for several months in 2023
- Other pitch
- Bandi says he also pitched the project to JioHotstar